St. Anne's Church(Little Fogo Islands)

Designed and built by local craftsmen and carpenters of all denominations, St. Anne's
Church is in the resettled community of Little Fogo Islands. Built in 1873, the church is
simple in appearance and is an excellent example of a well-preserved mission church.

The small, independent-minded community of approximately 200 people united to provide
supplies and labour for the church's construction. The church's interior, from the
windows, railings and wooden domed ceiling, down to the altar, pews and kneelers, were handcrafted
by local residents. The framing for the 5.5 metre by 10.9 metre single-storeyed
structure was sawed by pit saws and joined by trunnels. Trunnels are wooden pegs known
as "tree nails". Holes were bored in the framing timbers and the trunnels were then used
to fasten the timbers together. The six windows were also made locally.

The church was important to local fishermen because it was a reference point
for marking fishing grounds and navigating through the rocks and shoals. In foggy weather, the
local people rang the bell to help guide the fishermen safely into the harbour.

Although the government resettled the community, the church remains and is visited each
year by tourists and former residents. During the summer months a Catholic priest holds a
service in the structure.

In recognition of the efforts and skill of the local residents who first built the structure,
and the people who remain committed to its maintenance, the Heritage Foundation of
Newfoundland and Labrador declared St. Anne's Church a Registered Heritage Structure in September
1995.